Meditation, Is it essential?

Nowadays some Buddhists question that, ‘Is it essential the meditation for Nibbana?’. An uncountable number of people attained Nibbana by listening to Dhamma, at the time of Lord Buddha. It is very rare to find information about people who attained Nibbana by meditation. Therefore, most of the people question that ‘Is it essential the meditation for Nibbana? and isn’t the listening to Dhamma adequate?’

Lord Buddha explained five (5) entrances or roots to the Nibbana in Vimuttāyatana Sutta of Aṅguttaranikāya.

“Pañcimāni bhikkhavē vimuttāyatanāni, yattha bhikkhunō appamattassa atāpinō pahitattassa viharatō avimuttaṁ vā cittaṁ vimuccati, aparikkhīnā vā āsavā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti, ananuppattaṁ vā anuttaraṁ yōgakkhēmaṁ anupāpuṇāti.”

“Bhikkhus, there are five roots of liberation in which the unliberated mind of a bhikkhu who dwells mindfully, energetic and resolute, is liberated, his remaining defilements are ended, and he reaches the supreme sanctuary”

Thus, Lord Buddha mentioned five bases for the liberation such as;

(1) Listening to Dhamma

(2) Teaching Dhamma

(3) Reciting Dhamma

(4) Reflecting Dhamma

(5) Meditation

Accordingly, the meditation is only one basis of Nibbana, and there are another four bases. But we must keep in mind that, if and only if the person has practiced the meditation, cultivated all the requirements in his mind, he can attain the Nibbana by just listening, reciting and reflecting Dhamma. Not everybody who listened to the Buddha’s Dhamma attained Nibbana by just listening, but we can find evidence about those who practice the meditation for a long period.

For example, Venerable Arahant Raṭṭhapāla Thera attained Nibbana after twelve years from his ordination. During this period, he not only just listened Dhamma but also practiced meditation. Venerable Arahant Soṇa after his ordination, practiced the meditation hardly having energetic and resolute. As a result of his hard walking meditation, his feet were broken, and the walking path was stained with blood. Finally, he lost his energy and thought to disrobe since he cannot attain Nibbana. The Lord Buddha appeared in that forest, approached Venerable Soṇa and advised to him to balance his energy. Venerable Soṇa accepted the Buddha’s advice and meditated accordingly and attained the Arahantship.

Furthermore, we can find in many suttas, the one who listened Dhamma of the Buddha received the going forth and ordination, and practiced meditation mindfully energetic and resolute. Not long after the ordination, he realized the Nibbana.

“….eko vūpakaṭṭho appamatto ātāpī pahitatto viharanto nacirasseva – yassatthāya kulaputtā sammadeva agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajanti tadanuttaraṁ – brahmacariyapariyosānaṁ diṭṭhevadhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja vihāsi”

The meditation is therefore essential for the attainment of Nibbana. Even at the time of Buddha, some Dhamma listeners did not realized the Nibbana without practicing the meditation. The Buddha had a specific knowledge to identify the level of the development of each person's mind. Even with such supreme knowledge, some people didn't realize the Nibbana, since their mind was not developed enough to attain the Nibbana. Nowadays we don't know about the level of practice that we have done in the past. Therefore, everyone must practice meditation in order to realize Nibbana.

We must keep in mind the Buddha's word,

“Jhāyatha bhikkhave, mā pamādattha, mā pacchā vippaṭisārino ahuvattha, ayaṁ vo amhākaṁ anusāsanī”

Meditate (practice absorption), bhikkhus, don’t be negligent. Don’t regret it later (after being negligent). This is my instruction to you.